Packed with iconic New England architecture, historical significance, and patriotism, Boston takes pride in its historic city. Boston’s narrow streets recall a history of revolution, transformation, and even philosophy. Today, the city is influenced by the scholars, scientists, writers, and students of its important educational institutions. Plus, the clam chowder here is renowned. Together, these influences create a city brimming with youthful energy and things to do. Continue reading for a curated list of activities and things to do in Boston.
When visiting this iconic city, there are a few things that you simply must do before you leave. Cross Boston off your bucket list after completing the following New England activities.
The best things to do in Boston include:
Visit Faneuil Hall, a shopping center with many stores and restaurants
Head to Boston Common, which hosts auctions, festivals, and more
See a New England Patriots home game during football season
Visit the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world
Stop by Old North Church, the launching point of Paul Revere’s revolutionary ride
If Boston is lovely to look at from afar, it’s even more interesting up close. Start at any one of these tourist attractions before trekking to Boston’s many restaurants, shopping centers, and places to visit.
Popular attractions near Boston include:
Walk into history along Freedom Trail
Watch the Red Sox at Fenway Park
Visit Boston’s oldest residential community, North End
Explore the Public Garden, a botanical garden next to Boston Common
Visit Paul Revere House, a colonial home dedicated to its namesake
For history buffs, there is a wide selection of interesting and fun things to do in Boston. There are museums and historic streets ready to be explored.
Fun things to do in Boston include:
Hop aboard the USS Constitution, a wooden-hulled frigate named by President George Washington
Visit Copley Square, named for painter John Singleton Copley in Boston’s Back Bay
Spend time in Newbury Street, lined with salons, boutiques, and fabulous dining
Explore Harvard Square, at the center of America’s most prestigious university
Head to Beacon Hill, one of Boston’s most Instagram-worthy neighborhoods
The city is well-known for its culture and museums, so its nightlife flies under the radar. However, there are plenty of things to do in Boston at night, such as comedy, music, theater, and of course, bars.
Things to do in Boston at night include:
Visit Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub, a rock venue which features underground and indie bands
Head to Royale, Boston’s largest entertainment venue in the Theater District
Stop by Good Life, a full restaurant and nightclub in downtown Boston
Listen to live music at Wally’s Cafe Jazz Club
Order a cocktail at Drink in South Boston’s Fort Point Neighborhood
If you’re in Boston with the kids, take them on an adventure for the ages. The museums and science centers will turn them into little history buffs before you know it.
Things to do in Boston with kids include:
Visit Museum of Science, a science museum and indoor zoo
Head to Boston Children’s Museum, dedicated to the education of children
See gorillas, zebras, giraffes, and more at Franklin Park Zoo, a 72-acre zoo in Boston
Puppet Showplace Theatre, a puppet theatre that hosts more than 20,000 children annually
Head to MIT Museum, which hosts holography and exhibitions on art, science, and technology
Museums, observatories, and historic houses offer convenient ways to find things to do indoors in Boston. Learn something new or see how creative people make art nowadays.
Indoor things to do in Boston include:
See relics at Harvard Museum of Natural History
Enjoy the arts at Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston
See everything there is to see at Old South Meeting House
Enjoy the stars at Skywalk Observatory
Visit Massachusetts State House, a building where the state legislature meets
Boston’s climate allows for many adventures among the green spaces. There’s a multitude of things to see in Boston such as parks, islands, and arboretums throughout its surrounding areas.
Active things to see in Boston include:
Visit the Emerald Necklace, a park system that ties Boston to Brookline, Massachusetts
Head to Charles River Esplanade, a state-owned park in the Back Bay
Stop by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, a linear park that crosses many Downtown Boston neighborhoods
Plan a trip to Spectacle Island, just 4 miles offshore of downtown Boston
Hit up Arnold Arboretum, a green place designed by Frederick Law Olmsted